U.S. patent application number 14/353801 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for patient interface that engaes the sides of the head.
The applicant listed for this patent is KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. Invention is credited to Jeffry Huth, Susan Mals, Jonathan Paul McCaslin, Adam Michael Neff, JR..
Application Number | 20140261436 14/353801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47425178 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140261436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCaslin; Jonathan Paul ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
PATIENT INTERFACE THAT ENGAES THE SIDES OF THE HEAD
Abstract
An improved patient interface (4) having a cushion (12) and a
headgear (16), with the headgear having a pair of engagement
elements (24) that each engage the patient with an engagement
force, and with the engagement forces being directed generally
toward one another. The engagement forces result in frictional
forces between the headgear and the patient which resist the
cushion from becoming disengaged with the patient. In one
embodiment, the engagement elements each include a circumferential
brace (44) that engages the head and extends about the ears. In
another embodiment, the engagement elements engage the ears of the
patient. In a free state, at least a portion of the headgear is of
a spiral configuration which makes the patient interface
collapsible and relatively easy to pack, such as for traveling.
Inventors: |
McCaslin; Jonathan Paul;
(Renfrew, PA) ; Neff, JR.; Adam Michael; (Oakmont,
PA) ; Huth; Jeffry; (Delmont, PA) ; Mals;
Susan; (Pittsburgh, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
47425178 |
Appl. No.: |
14/353801 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/055685 |
371 Date: |
April 24, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61551952 |
Oct 27, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/205.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0057 20130101;
H04R 3/00 20130101; A61M 16/0006 20140204; H04R 1/028 20130101;
A61M 16/0051 20130101; A61M 16/0605 20140204; H04R 1/1008 20130101;
A61M 16/0666 20130101; A61M 16/0683 20130101; A61M 16/021 20170801;
H04R 1/1083 20130101; H04R 1/1091 20130101; H04R 2410/05 20130101;
A61M 16/0622 20140204; A61M 2210/0662 20130101; A61M 2209/088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/205.25 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06; A61M 16/00 20060101 A61M016/00 |
Claims
1. A patient interface structured to deliver a flow of breathing
gas to the airways of a patient, the patient interface comprising:
a cushion structured to be in fluid communication with the airways
of the patient and to supply the flow of breathing gas to the
airways of the patient; and a headgear comprising a frame and a
pair of engagement elements, the cushion being disposed on the
frame, the pair of engagement elements being disposed on the frame
and being structured to be engaged with the patient, the engagement
elements engaged with the patient each being structured to apply an
engagement force in a direction generally toward the patient, the
engagement forces being directed generally toward one another; the
frame comprising a base and a pair of legs, the legs extending from
the base, the cushion being situated on the base, the pair of
engagement elements being disposed on the pair of legs; and the
pair of engagement elements each comprising a circumferential brace
having an opening formed therein, the circumferential braces each
being structured to engage the head of the patient and to extend
circumferentially about at least a portion of one of the ears of
the patient, the openings each being structured to receive at least
a portion of one of the ear.
2. (canceled)
3. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the cushion is engaged
with the nose of the patient, and wherein the engagement forces are
structured to result in frictional forces between the engagement
elements and the skin of the patient that are of sufficient
magnitude to resist the cushion from becoming disengaged with the
nose of the patient.
4. (canceled)
5. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the pair of engagement
elements each further comprise a cover situated on the
circumferential brace and extending across at least a portion of
the opening, the covers being structured to overlie the ears of the
patient.
6. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the pair of engagement
elements each further comprise an audio transducer structured to
generate an audible output responsive to a signal.
7. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the pair of engagement
elements each further comprise another audio transducer structured
to generate another signal responsive to an audible input, the
headgear further comprising a processor apparatus that is
structured to receive the another signal and to generate as the
signal a noise cancellation signal responsive at least in part to
the another signal.
8. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a
wireless transceiver structured to connect wirelessly with a remote
wireless device.
9. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the pair of engagement
elements are each structured to engage at least a portion of one of
the ears of the patient.
10. The patient interface of claim 9, wherein the pair of
engagement elements each comprise a pad element structured to
engage at least a portion of one of the ears of the patient.
11. The patient interface of claim 10, wherein the pair of
engagement elements each have a receptacle formed therein, the pad
elements being situated in the receptacles.
12. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the legs are each
structured to extend generally between a nasal region of the
patient and an otological region of the patient.
13. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the frame is movable
between a free state in a condition removed from the patient and a
donned state in a condition with the engagement elements engaged
with the patient, at least a portion of the frame in the free state
being of a generally spiral configuration.
14. The patient interface of claim 13, wherein at least a portion
of an engagement element of the pair of engagement elements
overlies at least a portion of another engagement element of the
pair of engagement elements.
15. The patient interface of claim 13, wherein the pair of
engagement elements are movably disposed on the frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/551,952
filed on Oct. 27, 2011, the contents of which are herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to a patient interface for
delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient and, in particular,
to an improved patient interface that engages a head of a patient
with a pair of engagement forces that are oriented generally toward
the patient and toward one another.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are numerous situations where it is necessary or
desirable to deliver a flow of breathing gas non-invasively to the
airway of a patient, i.e., without intubating the patient or
surgically inserting a tracheal tube in their esophagus. For
example, it is known to ventilate a patient using a technique known
as non-invasive ventilation. It is also known to deliver continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) or variable airway pressure, which
varies with the patient's respiratory cycle, to treat a medical
disorder, such as sleep apnea syndrome, in particular, obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA), or congestive heart failure.
[0006] Non-invasive ventilation and pressure support therapies
involve the placement of a respiratory cushion device including a
mask apparatus that is typically secured on the face of a patient
by a headgear assembly. The mask apparatus may be, without
limitation, a nasal mask that covers the patient's nose, a nasal
cushion having nasal prongs that are received within the patient's
nares, a nasal/oral mask that covers the nose and mouth, or full
face mask that covers the patient's face. It is known to maintain
such devices on the face of a wearer by a headgear having one or
more straps adapted to fit over/around the patient's head. Because
such respiratory cushion devices are typically worn for an extended
period of time, it is important for the headgear to maintain the
mask apparatus in a desired position while doing so in a manner
that is comfortable to the patient.
[0007] While many mask apparatuses have been generally been
effective for their intended purposes, they have not been without
limitation. For instance, patients often complain that the mask
apparatuses are not as comfortable as they would desire. Also, it
is understood in the art that the considerations of patient
comfort, ease of installation and use, and reliability of providing
the flow of breathing gas to the patient are often mutually in
competition with one another. Patients have further complained that
such mask apparatuses are cumbersome to travel with due to their
unusual shape. It thus would be desirable to provide an improved
apparatus that provides a flow of breathing of gas to a
patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In certain embodiments, the general nature of the invention
can be stated as including a patient interface that is structured
to deliver a flow of breathing gas to the airways of a patient. The
patient interface can be generally stated as including a cushion
and a headgear. The cushion is structured to be in fluid
communication with the airways of the patient and to supply the
flow of breathing gas to the airways of the patient. The headgear
can be generally stated as including a frame and a pair of
engagement elements. The pair of engagement elements are disposed
on the frame and are structured to be engaged with the patient. The
engagement elements when engaged with the patient are each
structured to apply an engagement force in a direction generally
toward the patient, with the engagement forces being directed
generally toward one another. The cushion is disposed on the
frame.
[0009] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved patient
interface in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except depicting the
patient interface donned by a patient;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of an electronic apparatus
of the patient interface of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0013] FIGS. 4-6 diagrammatically depict the patient interface of
FIGS. 1 and 2 moving from a donned state in a condition situated on
the patient to a free state in a condition removed from the
patient;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective depiction of an improved patient
interface in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view as taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7
and depicting the sectional portion of the patient interface of
FIG. 7 situated on the patient;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a depiction of an improved patient interface in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a view of an improved patient interface in
accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or
components are "coupled" shall mean that the parts are joined or
operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one
or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs.
As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements are
directly in contact with each other. As used herein, "fixedly
coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled so as to
move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to
each other.
[0020] As used herein, the word "unitary" means a component is
created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that
includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled
together as a unit is not a "unitary" component or body. As
employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components
"engage" one another shall mean that the parts exert a force
against one another either directly or through one or more
intermediate parts or components.
[0021] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and
without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front,
back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the
elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims
unless expressly recited therein.
[0022] An improved patient interface 4 in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally in FIGS.
1, 2, and 4. In particular, patient interface 4 is depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 in a donned state, which is in a condition
wherein it is donned by patient 8, although it is noted that
patient 8 is not depicted in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity. As
will be set forth in greater detail below in conjunction with FIGS.
5 and 6, patient interface 4 is movable between the donned state
(FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) and a free state (FIG. 6), which is a condition
removed from patient 8.
[0023] Patient interface 4 can be said to include a cushion 12 and
a headgear 16 that are connected together. More particularly,
cushion 12 is situated on headgear 16, and headgear 16 is
structured to be situated on patient 8. As will be set forth in
greater detail below, headgear 16 is advantageously configured to
engage patient 8 and, in so doing, retain cushion 12 in fluid
communication with the nose of patient 8 in order to provide a flow
of breathing gas to the airways of patient 8. In this regard, it is
understood that patient interface 4, during use, will be connected
with a source of breathing gas (not expressly depicted herein) that
provides a flow of breathing gas to patient interface 4 for
reception in the breathing passages of patient 8.
[0024] While cushion 12 is depicted herein as being a pillow style
nasal cushion having a pair of nozzles that are received in the
nares of the nose of patient 8, it is understood that the depicted
cushion 12 is merely one example of a cushion from among a wide
variety thereof that can be employed in patient interface 4. It is
therefore to be understood that any type of cushion such as that
depicted herein or an alternative cushion such as a nasal cushion,
a nasal/oral cushion, a cradle-style nasal cushion, or any other
type of structures that can be situated in fluid communication with
the airway of patient 8 can be employed as cushion 12.
[0025] Headgear 16 can be said to include a frame 20, a first
engagement element 24, and a second engagement element 28. First
and second engagement elements 24 and 28 are structured to engage
patient 8, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0026] Frame 20 can be said to include a base 32, a first leg 36,
and a second leg 40. As can be understood from FIG. 1, first and
second legs 36 and 40 can be said to extend in a common direction,
i.e., in generally the same direction, away from base 32. Cushion
12 is disposed on base 32. First engagement element 24 is mounted
on first leg 36 at an end thereof opposite its connection with base
32, and second engagement element 28 is mounted on second leg 40 at
an end thereof opposite its connection with base 32. When patient
interface 4 is donned by patient 8, cushion 12 can be said to be
situated generally in the nasal region of patient 8, and first and
second legs 36 and 40 can each be said to extend generally between
the nasal region and an otological region of patient 8.
[0027] First engagement element 24 can be said to include a
circumferential brace 44 having an opening 48 formed therein.
Second engagement element 28 can likewise be said to include a
circumferential brace 52 having an opening 56 formed therein. As
can be understood from FIG. 2, circumferential braces 44 and 52 are
structured to be engaged with the head of patient 8 and can be said
to each extend about the base of the ear, i.e., at the region where
the ear connects with the head. At least a portion of the ears are
received in and through openings 48 and 56. While circumferential
braces 44 and 52 are depicted as being generally annular in shape,
and while openings 48 and 56 are likewise depicted as being
generally circular in shape, it is noted that such shapes are
intended solely for purposes of simplicity of disclosure. It is
expressly noted that in other embodiments, openings 48 and 56 may
be configured to more closely follow the shape of the base of the
ears, such as by being generally of a "D" shape or other
appropriate shape, with circumferential braces 44 and 52 being
correspondingly shaped. Other appropriate shapes will be apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0028] As can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 4, circumferential
braces 44 and 52 each engage the head of patient 8 with an
engagement force, such as indicated with the numerals 60 and 64,
which retains patient interface 4 on patient 8. That is, when first
and second engagement elements 24 and 28 are pulled away from one
another, such as during installation of patient interface 4 on
patient 8, frame 20 is elastically deformed, meaning that frame 20
is deformed within its own elastic limits. When first and second
engagement elements 24 and 28 are released and caused to become
engaged with the head of patient 8, therefore, the residual elastic
forces within frame 20 result in first and second engagement
elements 24 and 28 engaging the head of patient 8 with engagement
forces 60 and 64, respectively, which are each directed toward
patient 8 and which are also directed generally toward one another.
Frame 20 can be formed of any of a variety of appropriate materials
such as spring steel, appropriate plastics having a sufficient
degree of resilience, and other appropriate materials.
[0029] Engagement forces 60 and 64 applied to patient 8 result in a
number of frictional forces between patient interface 4 and patient
8, with one of the frictional forces being indicated generally at
the numeral 66. Frictional force 66 in FIG. 1 occurs between the
skin of patient 8 and second engagement element 28 and results from
the application of engagement force 64 by second engagement element
28 to the skin as a result of the residual elastic forces within
frame 20.
[0030] More particularly, and as will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art, engagement forces 60 and 64 applied to
the skin of patient 8 generate frictional forces that resist
movement of first and second engagement elements 24 and 28 with
respect to the skin. It is understood that when patient interface 4
is donned by patient 8, cushion 12 is engaged with or is otherwise
in fluid communication with the airways of patient 8. The
frictional forces that result from engagement forces 60 and 64
advantageously resist movement of patient interface 4 in any
direction that would be away from cushion 12 being maintained in
fluid communication with the airways of patient 8. As such, while
only the individual friction force 66 is depicted herein for
purposes of simplicity to depict resistance to one exemplary
direction of disengagement of cushion 12 from patient 8, it is to
be understood that various frictional forces result from engagement
forces 60 and 64 and which resist cushion 12 from becoming
disengaged from patient 8.
[0031] By way of example, therefore, and as depicted in FIG. 1,
friction force 66 represents a frictional force applied to second
engagement element 28 by the skin of patient 8 and resists a
disengagement movement of cushion 12 in a direction away from the
nose of patient 8, such as may be due to gravity. Such a
disengagement movement could be characterized as the motion of
patient interface 4 in a direction generally counter-clockwise from
the perspective of FIGS. 1 and 2 (it being reiterated that FIGS. 1
and 2 are perspective views rather than side elevational views
where such a disengagement motion would be more explicitly
counter-clockwise). Such generally counter-clockwise movement from
the perspective of FIGS. 1 and 2 typically would be movement
generally about a center (not expressly identified in FIGS. 1 and
2) of openings 48 and 56. Also, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that
friction force 66 is spaced from the center point of opening 56,
with the result that first friction force 66 applies a torque to
second engagement element 28 and to patient interface 4. Such
torque resists, for instance, pivoting movement of cushion 12 out
of the nares (by way of example) of the nose of patient 8.
[0032] It is reiterated, however, that friction force 66 is only
one of a variety of frictional forces that result from engagement
forces 60 and 64. That is, the various frictional forces that
result from engagement forces 60 and 64 together resist any of a
variety of movements in any of a variety of directions that
otherwise might permit cushion 12 to become disengaged from
patient. The resistance to such disengagement is advantageous and
promotes the reliability of patient interface 4 in providing a flow
of breathing gas to patient 8.
[0033] As can be understood from FIG. 3, headgear 16 further
includes an electronic apparatus 67. Electronic apparatus 67 is, in
the exemplary embodiment presented herein, disposed on frame 20.
Electronic apparatus 67 comprises a processor apparatus 68 and an
input/output apparatus 70 connected together. In the exemplary
embodiment depicted herein, processor apparatus 68 and input/output
apparatus 70 are largely embedded within the interior of frame 20
and thus are not necessarily visible from the perspective of FIGS.
1 and 2. Electronic apparatus 67 enables patient interface 4 to
provide additional features and thus comfort to patient 8, as will
be set forth in greater detail below.
[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 3, processor apparatus 68 can be said
to include a processor 72 and a memory 74 operatively connected
with one another. As is generally understood, memory 74 has stored
therein one or more instructions in the form of routines that are
executable on processor 72 to cause processor 72 to control various
operations of patient interface 4. Memory 74 can be any of a wide
variety of storage devices such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH,
and the like without limitation.
[0035] Input/output apparatus 70 can be said to include a pair of
audio transducers in the form of a microphone 76 and a speaker 78,
both of which are connected with processor apparatus 68.
Input/output apparatus 70 further includes a wireless transceiver
80 that can communicate wirelessly with a remote wireless device
using any of a wide variety of well known wireless protocols such
as IEEE 802.11 and the like without limitation. Speaker 78 can be
employed to generate an audible output responsive to a signal
generated by processor apparatus 68. Such a signal can result from
music, by way of example, stored in memory 74 or streamed via
wireless transceiver 80 to processor apparatus 68. In one
embodiment, one of the routines stored in memory 74 is a noise
cancellation routine wherein microphone 76 detects sounds in the
vicinity of first and second engagement elements 24 and 28 and
generates a resultant signal which is communicated to processor
apparatus 68 and is subjected to processing by the noise
cancellation routine. The noise cancellation routine then causes
processor apparatus 68 to generate a noise cancellation signal
which is communicated to speaker 78 to cause speaker 78 to provide
as an audible output a noise cancellation output that is responsive
to the signal generated by microphone 76. Other uses of
input/output apparatus 70 will be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art, such as the generation of white noise, other audible
signals, etc., any of which can provide enhanced comfort to patient
8 and assist patient 8 in sleeping.
[0036] As can be understood from the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.
4-6, patient interface 4 is movable between a donned state, such as
is depicted generally in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, and a free state such
as is depicted generally in FIG. 6. The donned state is a condition
in which patient interface 4 is donned by patient 8 and wherein
first and second engagement elements 24 and 28 are engaged with
patient 8. The free state is a condition in which patient interface
4 is generally removed from patient 8. As can be seen in FIG. 6,
which depicts patient interface 4 in its free state, at least a
portion of one of first and second engagement elements 24 and 28
overlies (from the perspective of FIG. 6) at least a portion of the
other of first and second engagement elements 24 and 28. FIG. 5 is
intended to depict an intermediate position between the donned
state and the free state and demonstrates that frame 20 is of a
generally spiral shape.
[0037] That is, frame 20 is configured to have a spiral, i.e.,
helical, free state shape and to have pivotable (or otherwise
movable) connections with first and second engagement elements 24
and 28. When placed into its compact free state depicted generally
in FIG. 6, patient interface 4 takes up a relatively small amount
of space, which is desirable for packing, such as for traveling.
When patient interface 4 is returned from its free state (as in
FIG. 6) to its expanded state (as in FIG. 4 but immediately prior
to installation on patient 8), the spiral shape of frame 20
provides to it the residual stresses that exist in frame 20 when
first and second engagement elements 24 and 28 are separated from
one another in preparation of installation of patient interface 4
on patient 8.
[0038] An improved patient interface 104 in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention is depicted generally in
FIGS. 7 and 8. Patient interface 104 is similar to patient
interface 4 in that it includes a cushion 112 connected with a
headgear 116 and can generally be said to possess the other
features possessed by patient interface 4. However, patient
interface 104 employs a first engagement element 124 and a second
engagement element 128 that are different than their counterparts
in patient interface 4. In particular, first engagement element 124
employs a circumferential brace 144 having an opening 148 formed
therein, although circumferential brace 144 is depicted as being of
a taller thin-walled structure compared with first engagement
element 24. Second engagement element 128 likewise includes a
circumferential brace 152 having an opening 156 formed therein that
is of a similar configuration to circumferential brace 144 and
opening 148. First and second engagement elements 124 and 128
additionally each have a cover 182 and 184, respectively, disposed
on circumferential brace 144 and 152 and that extends across
opening 148 and 156, respectively. First and second engagement
elements 124 and 128 are thus each configured as an enclosure that
extends about and covers an ear of patient 8 and which still
engages the head of patient 8 with circumferential braces 144 and
152.
[0039] Patient interface 104 may be preferred by patient 8
depending upon the feel of the engagement of first and second
engagement elements 124 and 128 with the head of patient 8, and/or
such preference may be based upon the different acoustic properties
that result from the addition of covers 182 and 184 on first and
second engagement elements 124 and 128, respectively, by way of
example.
[0040] An improved patient interface 204 in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally in FIG.
9. Patient interface 204 is similar to patient interfaces 4 and 104
in that it includes a cushion 212, a headgear 216, and other
features thereof, and it performs many of the same functions as
patient interfaces 4 and 104. However, patient interface 204
employs first and second engagement elements 224 and 228 that
engage the ears of patient 8 rather than engaging the head of
patient 8. Frictional forces between patient 8 and first and second
engagement elements 224 and 228 thus result from friction between
the skin of the ears of patient 8 and first and second engagement
elements 224 and 228.
[0041] Patient interface 204 may be preferred by patient 8
depending upon the feel of the engagement of first and second
engagement elements 224 and 228 with the ears of patient 8, and/or
such preference may be based upon the different acoustic properties
that result from the engagement of first and second engagement
elements 224 and 228 with ears, by way of example.
[0042] An improved patient interface 304 in accordance with a
fourth embodiment of the present embodiment is indicated generally
in FIG. 10. Patient interface 304 is similar to patient interface
204 in that it includes a cushion 312 mounted on a headgear 316 and
other features thereof. However, first and second engagement
elements 324 and 328 of patient interface 304 each have a
receptacle 386 formed therein. Moreover, a pad 388 is received in
each such receptacle 386, and pads 388 engage the ears of patient
8. Pads 388 can be formed of any flexible and resilient member that
is comfortable, such as a foam filled structure and the like. Pads
388 can potentially provide greater comfort to patient 8 than
patient interface 204. It is also understood, however, that patient
interface 204 may nevertheless be preferred by patient 8 if the
relatively more fixed connection between patient interface 204 and
the ears of patient 8 is more desired by patient 8.
[0043] In the claims, any reference signs placed between
parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word
"comprising" or "including" does not exclude the presence of
elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device
claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be
embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means,
several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of
hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in
mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these
elements cannot be used in combination.
[0044] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
* * * * *